Bible Ballistics: BBs #325   When You’re In The Dark!!!

 

We all have times that seem to overwhelm us. I know it can be disheartening, but just as there’s only one way to “eat an elephant”, and that’s “one bite at a time”; we can also get out of the darkness “one step at a time”, because we serve the one who IS LIGHT! I also know that when we have issues going on (Whether they are physical, emotional or mental), they can often lead to difficult times; and we all have times of life changing circumstances: whether they be physical crises, emotional turmoil, or just those ‘seasons of life’ type of changes. These life-changers can be hard to deal with, especially when they often come on us within short periods of time. We can pray, we can turn to friends and family, but sometimes we just become overwhelmed with it all. What are we to do then?

I have learned that Satan often attacks when we are weary, tired and unsettled sometimes when those changes come to our lives. These are the times that we must count on what we “know” not what we “feel”. I can’t tell you how many times I have encountered those times when I just have to keep telling myself, “I’m not giving up, I’m not giving up, I’m not giving up!” because I know that God hasn’t taken a break, or stepped down off of His throne! It is in these times that we must dig into The Word and camp out on what we know, what we find, and then keep digging in for more. I’d like to share some of the passages with you all that I camp out on in those times; and while I don’t have all the answers I do know WHO does have the answers, and God has given them to us in HIS Word!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”   2 Timothy 1:7

“For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words,

which thou hast heard of me,

in faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.”    2 Timothy 1:12-13

We can take small steps, one day at a time—in fact there are days I just take it one minute at a time—we don’t have to be fast or perfect, just faithful. And Jesus knows exactly where we are, and while the dark days may make us ‘feel’ like He has moved, believe me dear friends, HE hasn’t gone anywhere, and if we will but simply keep rehearsing what we know to be true, we will find the light again. Don’t accept the lies of the enemy. We must remember that we are in a spiritual battle, and while the victory has already been won for us, we must remember to WHOM we belong! And we must recognize that no person is the enemy, and we must put on the armor of God and stand fast in these evil days against the real enemy of our souls and our lives, even as Jesus reminded us.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

And while Jesus already defeated that “thief”, who is Satan, he is still at work until the time that Jesus comes to establish His kingdom on earth. But in the meantime, we must put on the armor that Jesus has given us to defend ourselves with.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins

girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all,

taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able

to quench all the fiery darts

of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet

of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18

The “shield of faith” is simply standing in what you know to be true about Jesus, He who bought our salvation with His own blood; not letting what we “feel” get us down and distracted! The mind is the battlefield where we fight and win the victory in this spiritual warfare of life, as we use the weapons of the ‘armor of God’ in those dark corners that try to overcome us.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds😉

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”    2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Another thing that helps me is to keep some good praise music on, it helps the heart and soul to praise our God because God loves our praise, and it also helps to dispel the darkness.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” 1 Peter 2:9

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Acts 16:25

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Psalm 56:3-4

One of my favorite passages is Psalm 121, and always reminds me that we must look up and not at the lions roaring about our feet. God has this!!!

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Psalm 121

Another great passage to memorize and one that I rely on continually, is also found in the Psalms.

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” Psalm 37:3-8

I don’t mean to sound preachy, but I do want to share this food for thought from these passages for you to study and meditate on. I know there may be many reading this that have deep darkness over there hearts, and I hope and pray that this will help to dispel the darkness with the “light” of God’s Word. I know how hard dark times can be, and having been through a rough year myself, I know how weary and tired we can become, and that is when the enemy will be knocking at the door, in fact he will be trying to bang down the door with a battering ram—but remember, WE WIN. So try to think on the things of God and bank on what you KNOW instead of what you feel, and to know truth, we must dig into the Word on a consistent and regular basis.

“Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me, do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”    Philippians 4:8-9

Think on these things dear one! You are loved and prayed for.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

You are not alone—so get in The Word!!!

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isaiah 60:1